Cottonwood Arizona Police Department

09/04/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 4, 2026

Location: Cottonwood, Arizona

The City of Cottonwood and Cottonwood Police Department respect community opinions, including those that have been shared in support or opposition of Flock license plate readers. We prioritize public trust and recognize the importance of addressing community concerns openly and transparently.

Following discussions between the City Manager and Chief of Police regarding the level of discord the license plate reader issue is generating within our community, it has been determined that it would be best to suspend the use of this technology at this time.

The suspension has taken effect immediately, and will continue until our City Council can make an informed decision on the appropriate use of this technology in Cottonwood.

The City Council has scheduled a work session regarding Flock license plate readers for September 22nd at the Riverfront Council Chambers, and the Police Department is working to gather all relevant information for that discussion. We are striving for a comprehensive and transparent presentation that addresses all the concerns we have heard.

For now, Flock has been notified of the suspension and license plate readers within the City are deactivated. The Police Department may physically cover the cameras as an additional step, but they have already stopped operating.

The City of Cottonwood and the Cottonwood Police Department appreciate the community’s engagement and remain committed to maintaining public trust.

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09/03/2026

09/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 1, 2026

Location: Cottonwood, Arizona

Cottonwood Police Arrest Two Suspects Connected to Multi-Jurisdictional Forgery and Vehicle Theft Investigation

On August 31, 2026, officers with the Cottonwood Police Department arrested Carlos Cazelly and Morgan Gargiulo following a traffic stop near the intersection of State Route 260 and East Fir Street in Cottonwood.

Both Gargiulo and Cazelly were initially identified as persons of interest during an ongoing investigation into a series of forgery incidents reported at local businesses throughout the Verde Valley, where the pair attempted to use forged currency at multiple locations.

During the traffic stop and subsequent investigation, officers determined that both subjects provided law enforcement with fraudulent foreign identification documents in an attempt to conceal their true identities. Officers also located a large quantity of suspected counterfeit currency in the subjects' possession, which was consistent with counterfeit bills previously reported in connection with the ongoing forgery investigation.

Following the arrests, Cottonwood Police officers continued their investigation into the vehicle occupied by the suspects and determined it had been reportedly stolen from California. Further examination revealed that the original Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) had been covered or altered with fraudulent VIN information, and the vehicle displayed a fraudulent license plate. Once Gargiulo's true identity was uncovered, a records check revealed multiple felony warrants out of California for vehicle theft-related charges.

The investigation has involved close coordination with surrounding law enforcement agencies as officers and detectives work to determine the full scope of the suspects' activities and identify additional businesses or individuals who may have been victimized.
Cazelly and Gargiulo were booked into the Yavapai County Jail on charges including: Forgery, Taking the Identity of Another, Theft, Possession of a Stolen Vehicle, Conspiracy Escape, Aggravated Assault on LE.

Additional charges may be added as the investigation continues.

The Cottonwood Police Department encourages local businesses and members of the public who believe they may have been victims of counterfeit currency or related fraudulent activity to contact their local law enforcement agency.

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08/13/2026

Join Us for National Night Out

📅 Wednesday, October 7, 2026
🕟 4:30 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Cottonwood Kids Park (350 S 12th St.)

Bring the whole family for an evening of FREE food, fun, and community connection!

🌭 Hotdogs | 🍔 Hamburgers | 🥤 Soda | 🍿 Popcorn | 🍬 Cotton Candy

✨ What to Expect:
✅ Live Demos
✅ Local Resources & Info
✅ Meet Local Businesses
✅ Activities for All Ages
✅ Police Vehicles & K9s
✅ Helicopter & Tactical Displays

Let’s come together to support safer neighborhoods and have a blast doing it!